Oracle’s Communications division has announced a new release of applications aimed at Communications Service Providers (CSPs). The launches, announced at the annual Oracle OpenWorld event, include a new edition of the software giant’s Operations Support Systems (OSS) application family.

Database giant Oracle announced it has agreed to acquire TOA Technologies, a provider of cloud-based solutions for field service management. Oracle said it intends to fold the technology into its service cloud offering.

BlackBerry has announced the appointment of Marty Beard as chief operating officer, who joins the struggling devices and software manufacturer from LiveOps, a provider of cloud-based customer service solutions.

Australian operator Telstra has been penalised by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) and telecoms regulator the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) for breaching privacy laws.

In response to the success of OTT providers, some CSPs have pegged these developers as “parasites” that feed off their networks and offer nothing in return. While it seems they have already lost the battle, however, service providers do have options that will help them adapt and find success in the OTT era, particularly by capitalising on their Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) cloud hosting solutions.

A pressure group with members including Microsoft, Oracle and Nokia has filed a complaint with the European Commission claiming that Google has used anti-competitive practices to dominate the mobile space. Fairsearch claimed that Google has unfairly cemented its control over consumers’ mobile internet experience and in online advertising for mobile.

In 2011, communication service providers (CSPs) lost €10.4 billion in text messaging revenues, according to Ovum. This, Ovum argues, was down to the increasing popularity of over the top (OTT) social messaging services, such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. Given that €6.5 billion was lost in revenue for the same reason in 2010, CSPs find themselves under increasing pressure from OTT providers who are offering competing services at cheaper prices.

Software and middleware vendors HP and Oracle have been all over the app store bandwagon this week, both unveiling platforms designed to help service providers and operators get their own app store initiatives underway.

As interest in defunct kit maker Nortel’s patent portfolio heightens, the US Department of Justice (DoJ) is reported to be taking a close interest in the bidders. Apple is the latest company reported to be interested in making a purchase after Google opened bidding with a $900m offer in April. Now the DoJ is said to be concerned that the patents will be used to stymie competition in the telecoms sector.

Google’s bid to buy $900m worth of Nortel patents and patent applications was approved on Monday. The planned sale required the approval of courts overseeing Nortel’s bankruptcy proceedings in Canada and the US. Under the terms of the auction, other parties may submit bids until June 13th, with the auction taking place on June 20th. Nortel filed for bankruptcy protection in 2009.

Google looks to be filling its patents war chest further, if rumours of a bid for bankrupt Israeli device manufacturer Modu are accurate. With the Android platform under increasing threat from patent challenges, Google is reported to have offered $2m for the patent portfolio of the company, which was founded by USB-Flash drive inventor Dov Moran and which made what it claimed to be the world’s lightest modular mobile phone.

Nortel Networks is to continue its post-bankruptcy asset sell-off, announcing the sale of its remaining patent portfolio to Google. The search giant is said to have offered $900m in cash in a “stalking horse” arrangement that could yet see another bidder come in with a higher offer. The patents in question are said to include both granted and pending applications covering wireless, 4G/LTE, data networking, optical, voice, social networking and internet, among others

US software firm Oracle has issued a lawsuit against Google, alleging that the Android operating system backed by the internet services player infringes a number of patents that relate to the Oracle-owned Java software. Java was developed by Sun Microsystems, which Oracle acquired in a deal that was completed early this year.

According to reports, billing firm Intec Telecom Systems is in preliminary takeover talks with software and networking giant Oracle. Intec issued a profits warning last week and is known to be courting other prospective buyers including private equity group Hg Capital. According to Ovum analyst Eirwen Nichols, “Intec would certainly provide Oracle with a solid […]

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